Welcome to our Lane Cove News week in review. This week there were some stunning sunsets over Lane Cove, and our roving reporters captured them.
Pink Sky at Night Sailor’s Delight or Red Sky at Night Shepard’s Delight – the urban myth is that a pink or red sky will mean a lovely day tomorrow. Is that true? It could be according to an article in The Conversation.
Our Cover Photo was taken by Mayor Andrew Zbik and showed locals enjoying the temporary ice skating rink.
The Canopy Architects Receive International Awards
The Canopy has recently been awarded some prestigious international awards.
The mirrored ‘periscope’ ceiling at The Canopy has recently won two awards at the prestigious International Architizer A+Awards.
Australian firms supermanoeuvre and Scott Carver were in the winner’s circle at the Architizer A+ Awards, taking out the Jury Winner and Popular Choice Winner in the Architecture + Ceiling categories for their Periscope Canopy project.
Read more here.
Roads and Traffic Forum
Tonight, Wednesday, 20 July 2021, ITC is hosting a Roads and Traffic Forum. We asked ITC readers to tell us the roads and traffic issues they faced. A list of issues is here, and we will report back on what we find out from State Government representatives at the forum asap.
COVID19 Recommendations from Chief Medical Officer
The Federal Chief Medical Officer held a press conference on 19 July 2022, warning there are more COVID19 cases in Australia than have been recorded.
He suggested the following precautions:
- Wear Masks Indoors and in the Workplace
- Employers Should Consider Employees Working From Home
- Get Your 4th Jab if you are eligible
- Physical distancing, where possible
- Good hygiene practices provide additional layers of protection.
- Undertake a test if you have any symptoms and stay at home if you have COVID-19. Full transcript below:”Australia is experiencing a significant increase in cases of the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron strain.These variants are highly infectious and have an ability to evade the immune protection from either previous infection or vaccine. Although three or four doses of vaccine remain very effective at providing protection against severe disease from BA.4 and BA.5, vaccination alone is not effective at stopping infection or transmission of the virus from person to person.All indications, including previous experience with the BA.1 Omicron variant in Australia in January this year, as well as recent experience with the BA.4 and BA.5 variants in other countries, along with our weekly forecasting reports, suggest that cases will continue to rise in Australia over the coming month.
This wave of infections is already leading to an increase in the number of people with COVID-19. This will increase pressure on our hospitals which are already experiencing high levels of patients, and absenteeism due to illness in staff. Due to the number of cases, we may also see a rise in the number of people dying with COVID-19, particularly among those who are at higher risk of severe disease, most notably people over the age of 80 and those who have not received all recommended vaccine doses.
We cannot stop this wave of infections, but we can slow the spread and protect the vulnerable. We have done this before and we can do it again. In fact, a range of measures and advice provided in the past two weeks gives us a clear, scientifically-based path to achieve these dual aims.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has reiterated its advice on reinfection periods, testing and isolation, mask wearing, vaccine boosters and treatments and called on employers to allow work from home if feasible.
Employers should review their occupational health and safety risks and mitigations, and their business continuity plans. They should consider the feasibility of some employees working from home, wearing masks in the workplace and support employees to take leave when sick.
All of these recommendations are based on what we know works to either reduce the spread of the virus or protect those at highest risk of severe disease.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has widened its recommendations on fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Very pleasingly, this has had an immediate effect, with almost 560,000 fourth doses administered in the first week of the expanded rollout, compared with approximately 180,000 the week before – a threefold increase.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has also widened and simplified the criteria for the availability of oral antiviral treatments which can be prescribed by general practitioners and dispensed from community pharmacies. We do not yet have data on prescribing since the announcement of these changes but expect a major increase, given that the number of prescriptions had already more than doubled from 5,657 in mid-June to 13,441 in early July.
Last week, numerous measures were introduced to increase the protection of aged care residents. As part of this, I wrote to all residential aged care facilities to stress the importance of having readily available antiviral medications within 24 hours of a positive test and a comprehensive winter plan to protect residents against COVID-19.
Modelling and forecasting provide a range of possible scenarios which are completely dependent on what we do now. We know this from our experience of the past two years where we have all taken actions which have changed the course of history.
What has been predicted before has led to appropriate actions by individuals, communities and government which has led to fewer cases and protected the most vulnerable members of our community – older Australians, people living with a disability, those with chronic disease or lowered immunity and First Nations peoples. By working together, we can do that again. This is not about individual responsibility but concerted and sustained community action.
I encourage everyone who is eligible for their fourth dose and who has not yet had it to make an appointment as soon as possible to receive it. I also remind any Australian who has not had a third dose of vaccine that two doses of the COVID vaccines simply do not provide adequate protection against severe disease. Having the recommended vaccinations for your age group or risk profile is the single most important thing Australians can do to prevent severe COVID requiring hospitalisation or even death.
I also encourage everyone to follow the recent advice of the AHPPC and wear masks when outside the home in crowded, indoor environments, including on public transport. This is important to protect yourself and others.
Physical distancing, where possible, and following good hygiene practices provide additional layers of protection. Undertake a test if you have any symptoms and stay at home if you have COVID-19.
Check your eligibility for antiviral treatments with your usual health provider and make a COVID treatment plan so that you know exactly what to do to access that life saving treatment before you get sick.
Reducing the impact of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility for everyone. We can all play a role in protecting ourselves and our loved ones, our hospitals and the wider health system, those most at risk, and society as a whole.”
Huge Garage Sale 23 July 2022 – Save the Date
THANK YOU FROM THE ST MICHAELS GARAGE SALE ORGANISERS
They have been blown away by your donations, and now the hall is packed with some great stuff – so packed they can’t take any more donations.
It is all waiting for you to buy on Saturday 23 July between 8 and 3 at the St Michaels Church Hall on Dorritt St. There are toys, books, artwork, knick knacks, furniture and plenty of bikes and sports goods. Have a look at some of the items for sale.
Lane Cove Events
Save the Dancefloor with Wildlife & Nightlife! Featuring The Billy Burton Band and George Washingmachine.
The event is a fundraiser for Wildlife forest habitat advocacy.
George Washingmachine is one of Australia’s busiest musicians & vocalists; he works mainly in the jazz world, appearing locally and at all major festivals around Australia. He tours regularly in Europe, appearing In London clubs, at festivals in France, Switzerland, The UK & much more!
The legendary Billy Burton was the resident band leader at Sydney’s iconic Chequers Nightclub and The Chevron Silverspade Room. Billy and his orchestra performed with internationally acclaimed artists, including Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield, Bobby Darin and countless others who toured Australia in the 60s and 70s.
Billy & his band play to packed houses weekly at Avalon Bowlo & are still both confounding and brilliant!
A fun-filled night of jazz and dancing!
Dinner options will be available for purchase on the night.
Business Alert
Have you ever wanted to own a cafe in the Lane Cove Council Area? Cafe 2065 is located in Greenwich and is on the market. It is located in the same set of shops as Your Display Gallery.
If you are interested, then call Zoe on 0411 430 611.
Transport Says Greenwich Residents Have Access to a Bus Direct to Hunters Hill High School
A Greenwich resident asked the following question on Lane Cove Chat
“Does anyone know why there is a school route that includes Hunters Hill High to Greenwich in the afternoon but not in the morning?! In the morning, the kids need to take like two buses and it ends up taking almost 50 mins (either 2 buses or need to walk up to pacific highway for 1 bus )! Am I missing any convenient Greenwich to HHHS morning transport options?
The afternoon school bus (569w) makes it only a 20 min trip approx. which is much better!”
Below is the response from the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Cities, Transport and Roads
Be Part of Lane Cove Council’s Digital Transformation
Nominations are open for the Digital Transformation Reference Group. The nomination period runs from Wednesday 29 June 2022 to Wednesday 27 July 2022.
If you are a local resident and/or digital expert, we’d love to hear how you can help support the development of Council’s digital communications and provide input into the scope of our new Digital Transformation project, in particular the development of Council’s new website.
This is a great opportunity to share your observations and/or expertise as part of this temporary Group which will have its first meeting this Spring.
If you are interested in being part of this exciting collaboration, you can find more details on the application process below.
Who should apply?
Nominations are currently being sought for community membership for the Digital Transformation Reference Group which includes:
- Three general community representatives, ideally including one who may not engage regularly with Council’s services
- A User/Customer Experience (UX) expert;
- Two digital experts which could be from areas such as content strategy, development, community engagement; and
- An expert in the area of digital transformation, ideally in a government setting
In addition the Group will include staff from Council’s Corporate Services, IT and Communications teams as determined by the General Manager; and One Councillor.
Completing your Nomination
Complete an Online Nomination Form
Download a Nomination Form and submit via email, post or in person
Collect a Nomination Form from the Lane Cove Civic Centre (48 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove) and Lane Cove Library (Library Walk, Lane Cove).
Crime, Incidents and Accidents
ITC is always asked about Helicopters flying over Lane Cove. On Sunday Night, 19 July 2022 around 11.30 pm Polair was flying over Lane Cove. They were looking for a missing person who was found. Information from the Police below:
“Man missing from Sydney’s North West located
A man reported missing from Sydney’s northwest has been found safe and well.
The 91-year-old man was last seen at High Street, Hunters Hill, at about 2.15pm yesterday (Sunday 17 July 2022).
Following inquiries, including a public appeal for assistance, the man was found by police – more than 160 kilometres away – at Newcastle Railway Station about 1am today (Monday 18 July 2022).
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.”
Week in Review – Sponsor – The Diddy and Lusso Kitchens
The Diddy has undergone major renovations in the last few months and has more outdoor seating (with waterproof sails). They now have an outdoor pizza oven, and pizzas will start coming out of the oven on 20 July 2022.
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